Mexico Rejects US Deportation Flight

President Trump has pledged to significantly increase the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Mexico refused entry to a US military aircraft carrying deportees, according to Friday reports from NBC News and Reuters, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Since assuming office on Monday, President Trump declared a southern border emergency and promised a surge in deportations of undocumented immigrants.

NBC News cited two US defense officials and another source stating that a C-17 transport plane carrying an unspecified number of migrants was scheduled to land in Mexico but remained grounded.

Two similar flights to Guatemala, each carrying approximately 80 migrants, proceeded as planned on Friday.

A Mexican official confirmed to Reuters that landing permission was denied, without giving a reason.

A White House official told NBC News via text message that “the flights thing was an administrative issue and was quickly rectified.”

On Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tweeted, “thanks to President Trump: Yesterday, Mexico accepted a record 4 deportation flights in 1 day!” She included a link to an article about the canceled flight.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry’s Friday statement didn’t explain the denial, only stating that “Mexico has a very good relationship with the US government and we cooperate with respect for our sovereignty on a wide range of issues, including migration.”

“When it comes to repatriations, we will always welcome the arrival of Mexicans to our territory with open arms,” the ministry added.

Following Trump’s order, the Pentagon deployed an additional 1,500 troops to assist border agents with migrant monitoring and processing. The administration also announced the reinstatement of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program, requiring non-Mexican asylum seekers to await US processing in Mexico.

The new US president has also designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, and threatened 25% tariffs on Mexican goods starting next month.

On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the need for calm and level-headedness in dealing with the Trump administration. Mexico must protect its sovereignty, she said, but the government also has a responsibility “to avoid confrontations” with the US.